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This week in the Twin Cities: Big Bugs, Bugs Bunny and the return of Sparky

Pioneer Press

Posted:
05/23/2014 12:01:00 AM CDT

Updated:
05/24/2014 11:48:29 PM CDT

Giant animatronic bugs will be on display this summer at the Minnesota Zoo.

Ongoing

Theater: Our Country's Good

Through June 29: British companies Out of Joint and the Octagon Theatre Bolton celebrate the 25th anniversary of Timberlake Wertenbaker's historical drama that's both moving and funny. Set in an Australian penal colony, the story is both of and about the theater, concerning a young lieutenant staging his first play, using a cast of convicts and facing a host of other challenges. Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St. Mpls.; $64-$34; 612-377-2224 or guthrietheater.org.

-- Dominic P. Papatola

Theater: The Cat in the Hat

Now in previews: The last time Children's Theatre Company staged this stage version of Sr. Seuss' beloved tale about a certain frisky feline, a couple kids and Thing One and Thing Two, it sold out. The revival -- again featuring Dean Holt in the title role -- will play an extended run through the summer, but don't dawdle if you want tickets. Through July 27; Children's Theatre Company, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls.; $34-$10; 612-874-0400 or childrenstheatre.org.

-- Dominic P. Papatola

Friday, May 23

Classical and film: Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II

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Friday-Saturday: Bugs Bunny has always created mischief in quarters unaccustomed to it. Hence, many of his classic "Looney Tunes" cartoons take place in the world of classical music and opera. Orchestras have since started buying into this poking fun at their profession, performing the musical soundtracks to many of those cartoons while they are screened overhead.

The Minnesota Orchestra sold out two of the concerts in 2012 and is presenting a new incarnation that adds some classically inspired animated shorts and reprises favorites like "The Rabbit of Seville" and "What's Opera, Doc?" The program's creator, George Daugherty, conducts. 8 p.m.; Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; $60-$25; 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org.

-- Rob Hubbard

Classical: St. Paul Chamber Orchestra

Friday-Sunday: The marquee event of the SPCO's fortnight of music by 20th-century English composer Benjamin Britten is this weekend's concert version of his opera, "The Turn of the Screw." Stepping in for the ailing Thomas Zehetmair is conductor Jayce Ogren, who led an acclaimed 2013 production of the work at the now defunct New York City Opera. It featured soprano Sara Jakubiak as the governess in a possibly haunted house, and she reprises the role here alongside tenor Thomas Cooley. Concluding the mini-fest Sunday are Britten's Second String Quartet (played brilliantly last week) and another by Dmitri Shostakovich. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday ("The Turn of the Screw"), Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul; 2 p.m. Sunday (string quartets), Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 Fourth St. S., Mpls.; $42-$5; 651-291-1144 or thespco.org.

Saturday, May 24

Family: Sparky The Sea Lion Show

Saturday-Sept. 1: The summer Sparky the Sea Lion Show kicks off this weekend at the Como Zoo with Sparky's usual antics, flipper claps and barks. This time she's telling familiar fairytales with an environmental twist, such as "Sparkylocks and the Three Seals" and "Sparky and the Bean Stalk." Once the weather warms up, the zoo's outdoor amphitheatre fills up for the live shows, so grab a good seat early. 11:30 a.m. weekdays; 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekends; (zoo open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.); Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Drive, St. Paul; free; 651-487-8200 or comozooconservatory.org.

-- Maja Beckstrom

Family: Fort Snelling opens

Saturday-Monday: The old military fort buildings at Historic Fort Snelling always seem an appropriate place to mark Memorial Day weekend, since the fort played an important role during the Civil War and later commemorations of the war's dead. The fort opens for the season Saturday with interpreters in 19th century period costume, games, scavenger hunts, cannon and musket firings, cooking demonstrations and special tours touching on African-American history and American Indian experiences. On Memorial Day, staff and re-enactors will interpret different eras of military history with demonstrations of equipment and weapons. Veterans receive free admission Monday. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Monday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday; Historic Fort Snelling, 200 Tower Ave., St. Paul; $11-$6 (free under age 6); 612-726-1171 or historicfortsnelling.org.

-- Maja Beckstrom

Dance music: The Faint

Saturday: Like most bands from Omaha, electronic rockers the Faint broke through to a wider audience thanks to Saddle Creek Records. Unlike the folky acts that populate that label, though, the Faint play chilly new wave (even during the brief time Conor "Bright Eyes" Oberst was a member of the group). The Faint left Saddle Creek and self-released 2008's "Fasciinatiion" and then took an extended break. They have returned to action with "Doom Abuse," which sees the band taking a rawer, punk-influenced turn. Reptar and Darren Keen open. 8 p.m.; Fine Line Music Cafe, 318 First Ave. N., Mpls.; $20; 612-338-8100 or finelinemusic.com.

-- Ross Raihala

Family: Big Bugs!

Saturday-Sept. 1: The humble mosquito is not among the 13 giant, animatronic bugs going on display at the Minnesota Zoo this summer, which is perhaps just as well considering how frightening a huge, moving blood sucker could be. The super-sized specimens range from a blue and black Magadascan Sunset Moth to a hairy Mexican Red Knee Tarantula and a massive-jawed Stag Beetle. The Zoo plans a day of bug-themed activities on opening day, including bug storytime, puppets, ladybug face painting and a visit from "Minnesota Bug Hunt" local authors Bruce Giebink and photographer Bill Johnson. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (summer hours run May 25-Sept. 1); Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley; $18-$12 (plus $7 parking); 952-431-9200 or mnzoo.org/bigbugs.

-- Maja Beckstrom

Family: Campfire programs

Saturday: Washington County Parks kicks off its summer season of evening outdoor education this weekend with program on reptiles and amphibians at two county parks. A different 45-minute program will be presented every Saturday through August on various topics, ranging from bats, birds to bugs and often featuring a couple of live animals. 7:15 p.m.; free with county park permit; Lake Elmo Park Reserve, 1515 Keats Ave. N., Lake Elmo; 651-430-8370 or St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, 10191 St. Croix Trail, Hastings (on the St. Croix river); 651-430-8240; www.co.washington.mn.us/parks.

-- Maja Beckstrom

Sunday, May 25

Hip-hop: Soundset

Sunday: Each year, the Rhymesayers-led Soundset Festival serves as the unofficial kick-off of summer on Memorial Day weekend. The lineup seems to get stronger each year, too, and this year features both locals (Atmosphere, Prof, Lizzo, Toki Wright) and major national acts (Wiz Khalifa, Nas, 2 Chainz, Cypress Hill) along with a custom car show, skateboard showdown and various DJ, rap and dance competitions. First Avenue is hosting a Soundset pre-party Saturday as well as a post-Soundset show late Sunday night. 11 a.m.; Canterbury Park Festival Field, 1100 Canterbury Road, Shakopee; $70; 866-777-8932 or soundsetfestival.com.

-- Ross Raihala

Pop: Eels

Sunday: Mark Oliver Everett has exactly one hit to his name (1997's "Novocaine for the Soul") and, arguably, just a single truly brilliant album (1998's bleak "Electro-Shock Blues"). But that hasn't stopped him from becoming one of his generation's most prolific songwriters, having issued more than a dozen studio albums under his various guises (mostly as the Eels), with enough leftovers to cram 50 songs onto his 2008 "Useless Trinkets" compilation. He's back on the road in support of "The Cautionary Tales of Mark Oliver Everett," available as a 13-track album or a bonus edition with double the number of songs. 7:30 p.m.; Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul; $34; 651-290-1221 or fitzgeraldtheater.publicradio.org.

-- Ross Raihala

Classical: Ladyslipper Ensemble

Sunday: Named for our state flower, this group is known for its fine performances of early music. But it goes to the 20th century this weekend for a "Classical Cabaret" that features music by George Gershwin (including arias from "Porgy and Bess"), Kurt Weill, Hans-Otto Borgmann, Manuel de Falla and Astor Piazzolla, as well as works by Gioachino Rossini and Isaac Albeniz. Guests include pianist Claudia Chen, two members of the Minnesota Orchestra -- violinist Helen Chang and cellist Arek Tesarczyk -- and former St. Paul Chamber Orchestra bassist Christopher Brown. 3 p.m.; St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1895 Laurel Ave., St. Paul; $20-$10; 651-646-6175 or ladyslipperensemble.org.

-- Rob Hubbard

Monday, May 26

Bass: Victor Wooten

Monday-Tuesday: A professional musician since age 6, five-time Grammy winner Victor Wooten has been one of the most influential electric bassists of the modern era. Known for his jaw-dropping bass technique, Wooten first achieved prominence as a sideman with banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck. As a leader, Wooten has released nine albums, most recently two in 2012: "Words & Tones," and "Sword & Stone." He's also become a prominent educator, through the Bass/Nature Camp he's developed and run since 2000. 7 p.m. Monday, 7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday; Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; $37 (early) $27 (late); 612-332-1010 or dakotacooks.com.

-- Dan Emerson

Thursday, May 29

Rock: The Lawrence Arms

Thursday: The Lawrence Arms formed in 1999, with the three guys each coming from various Chicago punk bands (Slapstick, the Broadways, Baxter). Their first two albums focused heavily on songs about growing up in Chicago, but the trio broadened their outlook after signing to Fat Wreck Chords in 2001. After an ill-fated run on the 2004 Warped Tour, the band released the album "Oh! Calcutta!" and then took an extended break from the studio. They are back on the road in support of this year's "Metropole," the band's first record in eight years. The Copyrights and Sam Russo open. 8 p.m.; Mill City Nights, 111 Fifth St. N., Mpls.; $17-$15; 888-929-7849 or millcitynights.com.

-- Ross Raihala

Country: Natalie Stovall and the Drive

Thursday: A native of rural Tennessee, Natalie Stovall started taking violin lessons at 4 and was performing professionally by the time she was 10. In 2006, she put together her current backing band, the Drive. "It wasn't magic overnight, but we all knew there was something special there," she has since said. Heavy touring not only turned the Drive into a tight live outfit, it helped Stovall land a deal with Warner Bros. Her debut single, "Baby Come On with It," has turned into a minor radio hit, and a full-length album is due later this year. Stovall has already booked a return to trip to Minnesota and will play free shows at the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 27 and 28. 8:30 p.m.; Cabooze, 917 Cedar Ave. S., Mpls.; $12-$10; 612-338-6425 or cabooze.com.